Happy Days: A Paper for Young Americans — page 5: what you’re looking at

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SIR ¢ i JN “Bost on a The Tired Old Woman, THERE was an old woman who always was tired, She lived in a house where no hel Her last words on earth were, “ was hired. ear friends, I am going : Where sweeping ain’t done, nor churning, nor wobeher, £ : And everything there will be just to my wishes, For where they don’t eat, there’s no washing of . dishes; And though there the anthems are constantly ringing, is be I, having no voice, will get rid of the singing. Don’t mourn for me now, don’t mourn for me never, ? For I’m going to do nothing forever and ever. —_—_——_—_ > &- 6 —>+—__—_—_——_—_————" A CREAT CUBAN STORY WILL BECIN IN No. (3!. TITLE WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK. -o- o—> —___——- [This story commenced in No, 123.) - His Father’s Son: | OR, The Boy With a Bad Name, By C. LITTLE, Author of ** Count Charlie,” “* Jack, Jerry and Joe,” * My Chum Charlie,” “ Ed, the Errand Boy,” “The Blue Mask,” aft,” etc., etc., ete. -_-_ a CHAPTER XIX, HAROLD'S LUCKY FIND. THE sight of the blazing bed seemed to ~ infuriate the madman all the more. He shouted and yelled, and went tearing about the room at a tremendous rate, wav- ing his arms, snapping his fingers, stamp- ing his feet, and making a dreadful din. ow, there is nothing like excitement to restore a man’s failing strength. A moment before Mr. Conklin threw the a | NG “STHAPPY DAYS ** Gone—blest if I know where, He jump- ead out the window and was off like a streak of greased lightning,” Duchy re- plied. ‘*There was something else—a bag——" “Is this it?’ asked Dick. To be sure it was, and the money was in it all right. They opened it then and there, and Duchy’s eyes grew big when he saw that it was stuffed with packages of bills. Of course, there was a lot of explaining to be done, and Harold went right at ib, seeming to develop strength as he talked. Meanwhile, the hut burned away and nobody paid any attention to it. Dick was too much interested in Harold’s story to care what became of the old wreck. ‘*Oh, Harold!” he cried, ‘‘see what you would*have missed if Te had gone a : but what am I saying? Perhaps it wou have saved your life. Your wound may be more serious than you think.” ** T don’t believe it,” said Harold. ‘I feel rey myself eg AE ; we'll get right over to illsburg and let Dr. Walton examine it, but first we must try and find ovt what became of Mapes.” *T wouldn’t,” said Duchy. ‘‘ Take my advice and don’t you do anything of the kind, Let him shift for himself; he’s as ug. S scoundrel as ever went unhung.” ut Harold would not hear to this. Following the direction he had taken when he ran away from the hole as nearly as possible, they tried to find the store- keeper, but did not succeeu. At last they came out upon the cove where Harold had seen the boat. It was no longer there, so they came to the con- clusion that Mapes could not have been very badly hurt after all. ‘“His kind don’t die easy,” declared Duchy Moore. ‘I’ve no doubt he’s taken his boat and gone home.” ‘‘Which we must do now,” said Dick. ** Harold, you must ot it up and let. me take you across to Dillsburg. Your life may depend upon it—who can tell ?” ‘*T’ll stay,” said Duchy. ‘I want to see if I can’t catch Conklin. I can come back in the boat Dick and I came over in, which is around on the other side of the island. You go on, boys, and never mind me,” **T shall never forget you, that’s one sure ** Hooray!” cried Dick, ‘This ought to put on your feet, Harold. Anyway, you'll have four thousand dollars to help you out of your hole.” ‘* Not four cents,” said Harold, ‘* Father died owing fifty-two thousand dollars. I shall divide this money among the cred- itors and not keep a nickel tor myself; then 1d like to meet the man who dares to sneer at me because I am my father’s son !” CHAPTER XX, THE TURNING OF THE TIDE, By eight o’clock next morning Harold was at Dr. Walton’s door, He was weak and nervous, but other- wise his wound seemed likely to give him but little trouble. The good old doctor could scarcely con- tain himself when his protege told his exciting story and exhibited the box and the bag. * anata le are a boy in a thousand!” heexclaimed. ‘* I’m proud of you, and I’m sure Kate will be when she comes to hear all this. The money in the bag shall go to J udge Ramsey immediately, and if he don’t have the charge against you quashed I'l] never speak to him again. As for the rest, I'll take charge of it, if you will allow me, and call your father’s creditors togeth- er with the least possible saps, ll ‘‘Then you approve of my plan, doctor ?” asked Harold. ‘*Entirely, my boy. Itis the only honest course. As to your wound, don’t you wor- ry 3 it will be well ina day or two, I'll see that a search is made for Mr. Conklin, and there is no doubt that we will have him safe in Dillsburg before night. Now you go over and tell Mr. Fortescue about all this, for he has the right to know,” Harold would have liked very much to get a sight of Kate’s sweet face, but the doctor said nothing about calling her, so he started down town. “Has the tide really turned?” he thought, as he walked ae: , ** What will people say when they know Ihave donethis? If they will only stop their everlasting talk against my r father, I don’t care what they say about me, He soon had the opportunity to find out what one of his father’s creditors had to 5 money you have found shall be paid to the party to whom I have assigned the claim,” **It certainly shall be, sir. approve of my course?” ‘Fully! Your stock has gone up a hun- dred points in my estimation.” ‘* Who is the party you have assigned to sir? If you will give me his name I will hand it to Dr. Walton, who is going to take charge of this affair.” . “Here it is,” replied Mr. Fortescue handing Harold the paper which he had just been writing. And Harold read as follows: “I hereby assign my claim against the estate of John Holly for the sum of five thousand dol- _— = Harold Holly, of Dillsburg. Value re- ceived. Such was the peer date and signature were attached; Harold turned as asa ppy; his voice trembled as he handed it Then you do ck, - “JT—TI can’t acceptit, Mr. Fortescue, I really can’t!” he murmured, ** Can’t—you must!” cried the millionaire, jumping up, snatching eg. the assign- ment and jamming it into Haroid’s coat pocket. ‘“‘ Don’t you be a fool, boy! you can’t help yourself if I choose to assign. Now get along with you and build the Risley town hall. I’m busy and have no more time to talk.” Had the tide turned? Harold’s steps were light as he hurried back to the boat. Dick threw up his hat at the good news, “IT knew it!” he cried. “I told you you were in too big a hurry to giveup. Now, we'll make the Dillsburg people open their eyes,” But when they reached Dillsburg they found that the people had something else to think about, There was a big crowd around the post office when Harold and Dick came up the street. *““ Wonder what’s the matter?” queried Dick, They paused, for someone was speaking to the crowd in a loud voice, “IT tell you, gentlemen, we owe it to him to give our confidence gone ye the voice shouted, ‘‘ This playing fast and loose is unworthy of the town! That boy has been lighted ~¥ 2 nen the bed, Harold tried to get up and fell back from sheer weakness, Shing, said Harold. ‘Duchy, shake |say, and that was Mr. Fortescue, for with pretty sure that his last hour had'come, | hands. There'll be something in this f Now hes ang to his ebtina. ry. Ic you {or ; , ev e , | ok Dick to man the boat for him, Harold a, wv he aprang t ¥ inaburry, for, for this night's work jw posing is t ye and wet: fortunate ~~ Give me the bag!” yelled the cashier, ell, well bout time you came!” ex- made a martyr, but he has shown himself © aman! I say,now that the opportunity offers, let us give Harold Holly back his contract, which never should have been taken away from him, and never would came to Duchy’s eyes as he pressed making a rush for him. “Give me the bag, Harold! Duchy Moore shan’t get it! No, he shan’t!” | Harold dodged and flung the bag out ae the open window. “Ah, ha! You would, would you?” screamed the cashier. “ Til kill you for - that, my boy.” He jumped upon Harold and seized him by the throat. Of course the wounded boy could not stand up against him. | . Down he went on the floor with Conklin on top. Still clutching his throat, the cashier shook him as a dog would shakea rat, choking him until he was black in the face, and beating his head against the boards. It would have been all over with gee Harold in short order if help had not n near at hand. Fortunately if was so. Already hurried footsteps had been heard on the stairs, and right in the height of the struggle Duchy Moore and Dick Johnson came bursting into the room, ‘*Save me, Dick! Save me!” Harold was just able to gasp. They rushed on the madman, but were not able to reach him, for the instant he caught sight of them he let go his hold, sprang up, made one leap through the window, and was gone, It was the last Harold knew for some moments, When he e to himself, he was out- side, lying on the grass, with Dick bending over him, The clearing was as light as day, the whole heavens being illuminated with the burning hut, whic flames. Dick gave ashout of joy when Harold opened his eyes and looked at him, ‘“He’s ative, Duchy—he’s alive!” he cried. * ‘Why, of course I’m alive,” murmured Harold. ‘Help meup, Dick, I ain't go- ing to die yet, old man, Not a bit of it!” cried Duchy, running up. ‘That’s the talk, Harold! You only fainted, and no wonder. Here, stand him on his feet, Dick! He'll be all right in a minute. Lucky thing for you, Harold, that me and Dick came over here to have a search for the mone? <= our own hook, was now a mass of | w 1d” **T don’t want nothin **T feel more of a man than I’ve done this two years. Take him home, Dick, and I'll keep right on working. If I can catch Conklin and bring him over to Dillsburg it will be a big thing.” So they parted, Dick supporting Harold as they walked slowly along the shore, un- til they came to the point, Will Faxon’s boat was where Harold left it, and when Dick opened the cuddy, there was the iron box, undisturbed, When the boys reached Dillsburg it was almost morning, and Dick positively insist- ed that they should ring Dr. Walton up. But Harold wouldn't hate it. ‘*We'll go to the room,” he said. ‘I don’t want to disturb the doctor, and I don’t believe there is any necessity for it. Besides I want to open the box.” So to,the room they went, and Dick help- ed Harold to undress and the wound was examined, It proved to be a mere scratch, just as Mr. Conklin had said. ““Pshaw! It’s nothing!” declared Har- old; “tie it up, Dick, and I’ll get into ; Open my trunk and you'll find father’s bunch of keys on the left hand side of the top tray; [I’ve no doubt the key of this box is on the ring.” Dick lost no time in obeying, for he was dying with curiosity to see the inside of the x. Dick took the box in his lap after he got into bed, and tried key after key, and at last struck the right one; the lock sna ped, and the lid flew up; an oblong pack- - wrap around in oil silk, lay inside, th a folded pers on top. Keeping Dick still in suspense about the contents of the pack arold unfolded the paper, held it up to the light, and read as follows: “To My Son, Harotp Hotty: “The money in this box, amounting to $40,000, is the exact sum_received from the sale of my timber landsin Minnesota. As I am somewhat sire tp beggar yon, I have decided to bury this sire ou, Lv to 8 box Batt the High School is finished. 1 hope to straighten ee out with the profits on that contract; but should I die before I have accomplished this I desire that you should dis- tribute this money equally among m rs, rues “24 per cent. for yourself, to which us Haro s hand. but this,” he said. t ! claimed Mr, Fortescue, when he entered the library, into which Harold had been shown by the servant, ‘* You're a pretty fellow! here have you been ?” *‘ Been, sir!” stammered Harold, blush- ing. ‘*T—] didn’t know——” **Didn’t know that you had to see me, Well, you didn’t have to, but it would have paid you and saved you some worry, no doubt, So you ran away from Risley, did you? You'd better have staid,” ‘Perhaps you don’t know how I was treated, sir!” ‘Yes, Idid! I knowall about it. The committee called here last night. Do you suppose that business men are to be down- ed by a mob? Do youthink for a moment that my bond is to be rejected and I not kick? You don’t know those Foe pee and you don’t know me. The Risley town hall awaits you, Harold Holly, Why don’t you go to work ?” Poor Harold! He almost lost his wits as the old man rattled away. **Do you mean to say I’ve got the con- tract 7” he stammered. “Why, certainly I do, You were the lowest bidder—and the committee have got my bond, They'll stand by you if it takes a regiment of soldiers to keep off the mob! Great heavens! young man, you mustn’t be so sensitive; by this time you ought to be pretty well used to being told that you are your father’s son.” Harold’s eyes flashed, “ And I'm proud of it!” hecried. “I’ve got something to tell you, Mr, Fortescue— something which will surprise you, and let you understand that my poor father was by no means the cheat and swindler that so many sup Surprised Mr, Fortescue certainly was, when Harold told his story, which was listened to with the closest attention, but the only comment he made was a hal audible nt. ow welked over to his desk and began writing. Harold, who never knew how to take him, watched him in silence until he swung round in his chair, “| hope you approve of my plan, sir,” he then ventured, ‘“‘ You spoke once of my father having swindled you out of twenty thousand dollars. Youstand on his books | j have been if had had my way.” as “Oh, Harold!” whispered Dick, ‘ That’ Do you hear what he says?” - ‘Hush!” said Harold, “ Let’s get away!” But it was not to be, Just then the crowd caught sightof him. “ Here he is! Here he is! Here’s Harold now!” they cried, and they all turned upon the boy, crowding around him so that he could not escape. Had the tide turned ? Had it ectually turned at last? “ Three cheers for Jud arg Ae they ly! Judge Ramsey! nen his ern | — arold Holly!” “Give him back the contract, judge! H never robbed the Ba teeny rice CHAPTER. XXI. STILL TROUBLE COMES, * ComME here, Harold. I want you.” lt was Judge Ramsey who called, Even if Harold had not been disposed to ield, he would have been forced ints it or the crowd closed around him an ape the boy from one to another, until e stood alongside the judge, who seized his hand and shook it warmly, Then others got hold of him, Nearly every member of the school com- mittee was present, and everyone wanted to shake. ‘“* We've heard all about it, my boy,” cried the judge. “The doctor has pu lished the news all over town, and Mapes has run away. Harold, you're a brick! You've saved the Dillsburg bank, and you have redeemed your father’s name.” Harold found himself so confused that he could not utter a word, and indeed Judge Ramsey did not give him the chance, _ “Gentlemen of the school committee!” he cried. ‘‘ We are all present here, let's have a meeting. Those in favor say aye!” “Aye!” shouted the committee, the f | crowd which was increasing every moment joining in witha ment roar, “[ move that the High School com- mittee transfer the building contract to Harold Holly!” cried the judge, “and I move you further, gentlemen, that the contract be aw without bonds, All those in favor say aye!” Then there was another roar. “Contrary minded, no,” shouted the u , five thousand; astothe| There were a few noes, but th By time, you'd have been roasted alive if | you are entitled for the efficient services | a8 @ creditor for ; ey were » h rend rest—— drowned in a storm of hisses, we hadn't turned up as © counts for the Ia “shoegetcns oe “* Hold on, Harold, you don’t know what| ‘The contract is e did.” - While he peceiee on Duchy helped Dick ] é ON rey aiftcnit task either, for strength was already returning to the boy, and they found that he could stand well enough, “ Where’s Mr, Conklin?” he asked, counts for the last two years, * Joun HOLLY. “P,$,—Should this be found by accident by anyone but my son, I can ongy trust to the hon- or of the finder to deliver the box with the con- tents undisturbed to him to whom it cighteuly belongs. “J, He ou are talking about,” broke in Mr, For- ue. ‘The twenty thousand is an old matter; I’ve crossed it out long a The five thousand is a legitimate debt, and I shall insist that my proportion of the { 4 i >. ; Air w os. ee — ee ls ours, Harold!” cried the judge slapping him on the back. “ Go ahead and build us our school, for we are sick ‘ tired of all or ooling, and 1 wan see someone who gumption take hold,” wea sieeve s oe — lad a ee J oo it ae. 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